Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my [Disney DVD] collection's complete?"
Technically, not quite. Still missing "Make Mine Music" (never released in Croatia/Italy and those are the only Disney DVD editions I collected -- ah, the perks of being mildly OCD) and "Song of the South“ (never officially released on DVD because of, well, implied and/or factual racism), and probably a bunch of other lesser titles, Disney's live-action films excluded because I never cared for most of those that much anyway. Either way, because the chances of these two ever appearing on DVD are slim (on *my* collecting terms -- if it ever happens they'll be added there subsequently, but for now I’m dead-set on 2013 being the cut-off date), I feel *this* collecting endeavor has reached its end. After all, 2013 has been a year of many farewells, both literal and metaphorical, and ending with "Saving Mr. Banks" feels strangely appropriate and like a proper send-off to something so special to me.
*Cue melodramatic music*
There you have it: 52 animated classics, from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) to "Frozen" (2013), and everything else in-between (animated shorts, live-action films with animated segments, Disney-Pixar films, sequels, prequels, spin-offs and TV show pilots, other animation, and a selection of live-action films), on DVD, collected over the course of ten years. Next stop on Muamer’s Disney (acid?) trip: collecting all animated classics -- currently 53 of them -- on Blu-ray, in HD. Thankfully, I'm already half-way there; preview:
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii95 ... ion001.jpg
It should be noted that the DVD format reached its peak sometimes between 2002 and 2006, only to be succeeded by Blu-ray soon after. As physical media sales continue to dwindle down making way for digital downloads, I often get asked -- followed by the inevitable stink-eyes and smirks -- what kept and keeps me sticking with DVDs/BDs even after their prime? "What?!? You pay money for something readily and freely available online?!?" It’s not that I’m above downloading stuff off the internet, I just like having tangible copies of anything, be it books or movies; it gives me a sense of actually *owning* something and it's nice being able to showcase them on a shelf, storage issues be damned. Not to mention, you never get just a film on DVD/BD, but also (usually) a bunch of supplemental features in the form of making-of documentaries, art galleries, music videos, etc. And I'm a sucker for learning more about the whole filmmaking process -- just take a look at my already worn-off bonus disc for "The Silence of the Lambs". Basically, it all comes down to me being a colossal nerd/sentimentalist
.
All in all, from a collector's POV it's been frustrating, exhausting, time- and money-consuming ten years. It all started with the Platinum Edition of "Aladdin" in December 2004, and you wouldn't believe the places and lengths I went to and money I paid to get some of these. However, from a Disney-fan POV I couldn't be happier, more exhilarated and satisfied. People who are part of any fandom will probably understand this passion. You may laugh and think of me as foolishly naïve, but however fanciful, utopian, clichéd and childish they may actually be or just perceived as such by general audiences and cynics alike, however put down as nothing more than a corporate, mass-produced entertainment for kids, and however skewed and off-base compared to real-life they may be (trust me, I learned the hard way that real life doesn’t function like a Disney movie; or, as a great friend so eloquently put it, "Nothing gave people more unrealistic expectations about life and relationships than Disney and porn". Quoted for truth and still no hard feelings for the Studio) -- these are still the films that at one point or another taught me a thing or two about embracing changes and facing adversities; made Mary Blair, Marc Davis, Eyvind Earle, Howard Ashman, Alan Menken, Glen Keane, Andreas Deja, Mark Henn and Eric Goldberg household names for me; introduced me to the art of storytelling, storyboarding, visual development and animation in general (oh, and musical theater, of course!); helped me develop great fondness and appreciation for all the different art forms and efforts that go into making these films; made me laugh and made me cry; filled me with joy, instilled hope in me, inspired and comforted me, and in one very recent instance motivated me to steer my life in a bold new direction that probably saved me in the long run; all of which -- I feel -- made me a better person. So even if for those reasons only, it was time and money well-spent.
Anyway... Now that this collection is (mostly) complete, I'm thinking of having a go at a chronological marathon. I'm looking forward to experiencing these films anew and there's nothing more I'd like than to introduce them to someone who's never seen them or appreciated them (my possible future offspring is sooooo going to hate me
).
I don't think I've ever written a lengthier status, so congrats and thank you if you've read it until the end... It should have probably gone to Notes… I apologize it's in English but the opening verses/lines were in English so I just took it from there as it was more expressive for me and it will be copy/pasted on a message board I frequent.
For the interested and detail-oriented:
- top-shelf: from "Walt Disney Treasures" shorts (1927-1995) over "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) to "Robin Hood" (1973); above: shorts collections
- mid-shelf 1: from "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" (1977) to "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1996); above: shorts collections and TV episodes compilations
- mid-shelf 2: from "Hercules" (1997) to "Bolt" (2008); above: TV episodes compilations and live-action fantasy films that feel close to the Disney brand
- mid-shelf 3: from "Up" (2009) to "Frozen" (2013); from "Oz" films (1939 MGM classic, 1985 Disney-produced sequel, 2013 Disney-produced prequel) to “Saving Mr. Banks” (2013), and non-Disney epic fantasy film series (because regardless of the studio, HP, LotR, and Narnia belong on the same shelf
)
- bottom-shelf: "The Art of…", "The History of…", and "The Making of…" coffee-table books
... and -- thrown in for good measure -- the rest of my collection, sorted by genre, because I'm feeling braggy today